How the fridge is configured – is the freezer on the top or the bottom? Is it a side-by-side model or a French door? Does it have a single door?

We've classified fridges into the following groupings: Extra small (<300L), Small (300-380L), Medium (381-450L), Large (451-525L) and Extra Large (>525L).

We recommend currently available fridges which score at least 75% overall and at least 60% for all aspects of temperature performance except the recommended setting score. We exclude this because you can change the settings to get better performance.

This tells you how well your fridge performs, based on our uncompromising lab tests. Our experts take into account how stable the fridge's temperature is, how even the temperature is throughout the fridge (any warm spots?), and how well the fridge copes with changes in the outside temperature to arrive at a rating you can trust.

This rating tells you how well your fridge will keep your food fresh and safe to eat, based on our lab tests.

How stable the fridge's temperature is. Higher scores mean a more stable temperature, so your ice cream won't melt and refreeze, for example.

How even the temperature is throughout the fridge – are there any warm spots?

How well the range of fridge and freezer temperature options suit the needs of most users.

How well the fridge adjusts to changes in the outside room temperature, like the change from winter to summer.

Whether the fridge's default setting (which most people don't change) is suitable for the Australian climate.

The heat load processing score is a measure of how efficiently the fridge cools a warm (32°C) load placed inside, the mass of which is determined by the size of the fridge as defined by the Australian Standard.

This will give you an idea of coldest and warmest areas you can expect in this model of fridge. We put thermocouples throughout each fridge to determine where it's coldest and warmest. This criterion will be added as we test new fridges. You'll see it written as cold top, warm middle, cold bottom, etc.

This indicates whether we tested a fridge to the current Australian Standard (AS/NZS 4474:2018) or the previous determination (AS/NZS 4474.2:2009). As our test methods changed slightly with the adoption of the latest standard, results between fridges tested to the new standard are not directly comparable with results from tests to the previous standard and should be considered separately.

The noise level in dBA – the lower the number the quieter the fridge. Noise level data is no longer collected for new models as the issue with most fridges is the type of noise it makes rather than the level. Our tester will now be commenting on fridges with a noise that would be considered notable or irritating for future tests.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

As claimed by the manufacturer. The higher the number, the more energy-efficient the fridge.

Energy use per year, as claimed by the manufacturer.

A high score means the brand (not the model) is less likely to have faults over time, according to CHOICE members.

A high score means CHOICE members are satisfied with the brand (not the model).

Stated warranty of the fridge. You're still covered by the Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.

Where the fridge was manufactured, though parts may have been sourced from other places.

'Tested model' means you should be able to find this fridge in retailers. We check availability every time we test, which is 6-10 times a year. 'Identical model' means this fridge is exactly the same as one we've already tested, except for a cosmetic detail like colour or the handle. You can expect identical performance to the tested model. 'Similar model' means the fridge is identical to one we've tested, except for one or two details, such as an ice maker.

Recommended retail price at the time of testing, but shop around for the best deal.

This gives you a good idea of the effect your fridge will have on your energy bill over its lifetime. Calculated using an electricity price of 40c per kWh.

Almost all fridges are available in at least a stainless steel or (less expensive) white finish. Colour variations usually have the same model number with one character difference to denote the colour (e.g. W for white, X or S for stainless steel).

The minimum recommended depth for your fridge. We recommend at least 5cm clearance at the rear of your fridge to allow for heat to dissipate.

The recommended minimum height required for the efficient operation of your fridge. We recommend at least 10cm clearance to allow for heat dissipation.

The recommended minimum width required for the efficient operation of your fridge. We recommend at least 5cm clearance on either side to allow for heat dissipation.

Use this figure to calculate if a fridge is the right size for your household. As a rule of thumb we recommend: 250-380L for 1-2 people, 350-530L for 3-4 people, 440L+ for 5 or more people. Remember that ice makers take up around 30% of your freezer, and that gross volume includes all the nooks and crannies you can't fit food into. If in doubt, get the bigger fridge.

The gross volume quoted by the manufacturer tells you approximately how much air space the fridge has to cool, and includes spaces you can't put food into.

The gross volume quoted by the manufacturer tells you approximately how much air space the freezer has to cool, and includes spaces you can't put food into.

The claimed dimensions for the smallest box that will fit around the fridge, including hinges, door handles and any protrusions out the back.

The claimed dimensions for the smallest box that will fit around the fridge, including hinges, door handles and any protrusions out the back.

The claimed dimensions for the smallest box that will fit around the fridge, including hinges, door handles and any protrusions out the back.

If you need to store lots of fruit and vegetables then look for more than one crisper.

If it has a ice or water dispenser, will the fridge require plumbing? Your kitchen may require modification if you don't already have the necessary fittings installed.

Important if you often store meat, fish and poultry (fresh or cooked), to keep it at close to zero degrees.

Convenient for keeping butter and hard cheeses slightly soft.

Models with a single tick or cross note whether an alarm is present at all. Models with two ticks, a cross and a tick or two crosses note whether the alarm is available on the fridge and freeze sections separately.

This is the side of the fridge the door hinge is positioned on, or the direction that the door opens. Many models have both left or right variations, and some are reversible with an optional kit, which is useful if you move to a house with a different kitchen layout.

Rollers (wheels) make it easy to move the fridge, for when you need to clean behind it.